Wood-preservative.



' the attack of the tical control.

' heavy STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES 'c. FITZSIMMONS, or SAN FRANCISCO, cA'LIronniA.

WOOD-PRESERVATIVE.

No Drawing.

-To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. FrrzsIM- MONS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in VVood-Preservatives, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wood preservatives and pertains especially to. means for preserving piling and other timbersfrom teredo and other marine in sects. I i

The decay of wood takes place owing. to the presence of living germs, fungi, or bacteria. These germs attack the cellulose and lignin of the wood cells, which serve as a food for their development. Moisture, heat and air are also-necessary for their development. The heat of almost any climate is sufiicient. So heat and air are beyond prac- A preservative for wood must therefore have the following qualities: l. Antiseptic, or capable ofkilling hostile germs. 2.- Able to exclude such germs. 3.Able to exclude air and moisture.

I havefound a very satisfactory and serviceable preservative 111 a mixture of heavy mineral oil of asphaltic base and approximately 14 Baum gravity, such as is produced in quantity inCalifornia, and cresylic acid (cresol) of approximately 97% pure.

Cresylic acid. is a very active antiseptic and is preferred for many reasons: 1st.Its specific gravity (.98) is about the same as the California oil (.96 such as I prefer), so that the resulting mixture is practically stable. 2nd.-Like' heavy oil it has a fairly high boiling point; thus allowing the mixture to be heated to the desired degree, for most advantageous application without any loss by volatilization of the antiseptic prop erties. 3.'It is readily miscible with theasphalt of the oil and the asphaltic derivatives and the mixture is water-proof. The metallic salts which are antiseptic do not readily mix with asphaltum, but deposit on' to 5% cresylic acid. The mixture is made Specification of Letters Patent.

to 95% heavy oil, and 10% Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

) Application filed June 23 1913. Serial No. 775,314.

at a temperature'of approximately 150 F.; the oil being first heated and the cresylic acid then added and stirred until complete admixture takes place. The preservative is applied hot (approximately 150 to 200 F.) either as. a paint or by immersion of the wood to be treated in a vat containing the heated mixture or in any other suitable -manner.

This preservative is advantageous for "many reasons: The asphalt or other base of the oil will fill the cells and pores of the wood and exclude moisture, air and germs. They are non-,volatile and do not-crystallize as naphthalene does in creosote. It is insoluble in Water and most chemicals. Has a high-melting point. and will not exude under climatic conditions. It can be standardized and always available as a standard product. The components are obtainable in the markets of the world, at reasonable prices. The components and mixture can be readily handled with safety and with simple apparatus. The. mixture can be controlled so that no bleeding or exudation from the wood occurs. After processing the wood is immediately available for service.

Having thus described my invention What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is y e 1. A wood preservative consisting of a mixture of heavy mineral oil and cresol.

2. A wood preservative consisting of a mixture of oil of asphaltum base'of approximately 14= Baum With approximately 10- percent. of cresol..

3. A wood preservative consisting of a mixture of oil of asphaltum base of approximately 14 Baum with approximately 10 witnesses. 4

JAMES C. FITZSDVIMONS. Witnesses:

- JAMES K. FIRTH,

T. LAMMON. 

